Lawson returns to Pakistan

LAHORE - Pakistan team's Australian coach Geoff Lawson has returned to the country after making unsuccessful attempts to persuade Australia and New Zealand to send their teams to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.Lawson's return put an end to rumours that he had left for home after a dispute with the national selectors over the finalisation of the squad for the Champions Trophy. Lawson has been attached with the Pakistan team since August 2007 after the untimely death of Bob Woolmer during the World Cup.The official said the Board will now sit down with Lawson and the selectors to finalise a programme for the Pakistan players as they have bright chances of a tri-series being held in South Africa from mid-September to fill in the gap left by the postponement of the Champions Trophy. He made it clear that the resignation of Nasim Ashraf as Chairman of the Board would have no effect on Lawson 's contract with the Board that runs until 2009.Lawson had gone to Australia and New Zealand with the task force of the International Cricket Council. He spoke to officials and players there to convince them that it was safe and secure to play in Pakistan .